Rochester, NY Community Information

Rochester, NY Homes for Sale

Rochester Metro and Neighborhood Information

Rochester is regarded as the "best kept secret" of western New York. With distinct neighborhoods, rich topography and the legacy as America's first boomtown, it's easy to see why. Receding glaciers sculpted much of the city's landscape including the beautiful Genesee Valley, the Genesee River and waterfalls, Mount Hope and Lake Ontario. These natural features provided picturesque backdrops as well as open access to direct waterways, ensuring the city's population and economic growth. In 1811, the area known as Rochesterville was founded by three Maryland officers with a population of fifteen. By 1817, the tiny village exploded when other land holders merged lands to form Rochester, turning a 100-acre settlement with a population of fifteen into a venerable community with 1,012 acres and more than 2,000 residents. Rochester's success was further cemented in 1838, when it became the world's leading producer of flour. But it was Rochester's sweeping political influence that endeared it to the masses. Frederick Douglass, Rochester citizen and former slave, became the leading voice of the abolitionist movement. His political views and vigil for abolishing slavery were highly influential and raised much awareness. As the women's rights movement gathered steam, Susan B. Anthony significantly steered its course and adopted women's suffrage as her personal crusade, planting the seeds for the eventual success of the 19th Amendment.

Rochester today is still making history, home to more than 210,000 residents and a venerable sports powerhouse, hosting the Rochester Red Wings, Americans, Raging Rhinos, Rattlers and Razorsharks. Despite competition from mainstream New York cities like Manhattan, Rochester has also emerged as a stable residential area and unique tourist destination.

Nestled away from the traffic and bustle of big city life is the Seabreeze Amusement Park in the peaceful suburb of Irondequoit facing Lake Ontario. This relic from the past can still thrill visitors today. Seabreeze opened in 1879 and is the fourth oldest amusement park in America. Much like the city itself, Seabreeze continues to entertain with its classic old world charm. The Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse is full of both class and charm, dating back to 1822. The lighthouse was built at the height of the city's commercial trade to direct ships into the Port of Rochester. Made mostly out of stone, the lighthouse towered at forty feet and was illuminated by whale oil lamps. As the pier on the beach surrounding the lighthouse was gradually lengthened, the lighthouse grew more and more distant from the lake. Yet visitors still come to see the lighthouse every year, never forgetting its purpose as a beacon of safety and light since the early nineteenth century.

Although Rochester remains an interesting place to visit, its "Rochester: Made for Living" motto tells a different story. Rochester homes for sale are routinely more affordable than the national average. With a median home sales price of $115,000, Rochester is well below the national average at $225,000, according to rochestercityliving.com. A recent SmartMoney survey also named Rochester real estate one of the most undervalued housing markets. In October 2005, the region posted a median price of $112,000, showing a mere 2.8 percent appreciation since last year, according to the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors. Nevertheless, Rochester real estate prides itself on providing "more house for the money," to the delight of Rochester home buyers.

Charlotte boasts the only beachfront residence in the city with lakefront properties. This historic neighborhood actually predates the city and was used as a U.S. port in 1805. Touted as a "community that cares," this close-knit neighborhood has modern convenience and rustic elegance with broad ridges and valleys accentuating immaculate single family homes. Although Corn Hill does not predate Charlotte, it is technically the oldest Rochester neighborhood with a diverse mix of 19th century Charlotte single family homes and contemporary townhouses overlooking the Genesee River and downtown skyline. This colorful town is just a brisk walk from the central business district and booming nightlife of downtown. Modern condominiums are also becoming a common fixture here amid older town homes and manors. Discover what this city has to offer and start your Rochester real estate search today!

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester%2C_New_York
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seabreeze_Amusement_Park
http://www.rudyalicelighthouse.net/OntLts/CharGen/CharGen.htm
http://www.realestatejournal.com/columnists/retreats/20051208-retreats.html
http://www.rochestercityliving.com/rochreal.asp
http://www.rochestercityliving.com/neighborhoods/neighbor.html

Rochester, NY Community Information

Population

468,920

Median Age

36.1

Median Household Income

$50,425

Households with Children

47.01%

Median Travel Time to Work

20 minutes

Rochester, NY Real Estate Market Information

Homes Owned

57.51%

Homes Rented

37.68%

Homes Vacant

4.80%

Rochester, NY Home Price-Rent Ratio

The price-rent ratio is a great way to compare the costs of buying and renting both within a city and is useful to compare against other cities as well. Technically it is the average cost of ownership divided by the received rent income if buying to let. The formula is House Price / (Monthly Rent x 12).

0:1

Low Home Price-Rent Ratio

High Home Price-Rent Ratio

What does it mean?

1-10

It is less expensive to own than to rent a home in this city depending factors such as length of ownership.

11-20

The total costs of ownership of a home in this city are greater than the costs of renting, but it might still make financial sense depending on the situation.

21 or greater

The total costs of owning a home in this city are greater than the costs of renting depending factors such as length of ownership.

*Note that this index is a broad measure. Contact a local agent to understand local market conditions.

Rochester, NY School Information

Elementary Schools

Primary Schools

Middle Schools

Secondary Schools

High Schools

These are the closest schools to your requested location. Proximity does not guarantee enrollment eligibility. Please consult your real estate agent or school district to confirm the schools you are zoned to attend.

Community Age Profile

Community

Transportation

Transportation

Education Levels

Education Levels

Occupation

Occupation

Community

  • Total Population 468,920
  • Total Male Population 226,542
  • Total Female Population 242,378
  • Population change since 2000 -81.90%
  • Median age 36.1
  • Percent of households with children 47.01%
  • Personal Crime risk 71

Transportation

  • Median travel time to work 20 minutes
  • Percent using Public transportation 4.20%
  • Percent Driving/Using Carpool 87.61
  • Percent Using Other transportation 5.14%
  • Percent Working From Home 3.06%

Education Levels

  • Some high school 15.35%
  • High school graduate 29.11%
  • Some college 17.11%
  • Associate degree 10.65%
  • Bachelor's degree 16.69%
  • Graduate degree 11.09%

Occupation

  • Agriculture, forestry, and fishing 0.14%
  • Construction 3.71%
  • Manufacturing 17.83%
  • Wholesale Trade 2.44%
  • Retail Trade 9.58%
  • Finance, insurance and real estate 4.70%
  • Services 4.77%
  • Public administration 2.83%
  • Information 2.97%
  • Professional 10.43%
  • Education 28.93%
  • Arts 7.83%

Income

  • Average household income $63,404
  • Income change since 2000 20.60%

Climate

  • Avg. January high/low temp 32.13 / 17.64
  • Avg. July high/low temp 81.71 / 60.81
  • Annual precipitation 33.85
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